Winter range test: Audi A6 e-tron masters the cold

Taking a long trip in an electric car during the winter is a real test for both the vehicle and the driver. Freezing temperatures and high highway speeds are the biggest enemies of battery range. The latest study by the German automobile club ADAC put 14 popular EVs to the test to see how they would handle a 580-km journey in zero-degree weather. The results were a wake-up call for the industry. Out of the entire group, only the Audi A6 e-tron and the Smart #5 managed to finish the trip with just one 20-minute stop to charge.

The Audi A6 Avant e-tron was the clear winner of the group. It stayed remarkably efficient, using only 23.2 kWh of electricity for every 62 miles. Thanks to its advanced 800V system, it could add 186 miles of range in a single 20-minute charging session. This efficiency helped it to drive for nearly four hours at an average speed of 72 mph before needing a break. In contrast, the BMW i5 Touring struggled in the cold. It used more energy and only added 114 miles during its charge, forcing the driver to stop more often.

The Smart #5 also performed well, though it took a different path to success. This SUV is quite large, measuring about 15.4 ft long and 5.6 ft tall. Because of its boxy shape, it was not very efficient, consuming 28.9 kWh per 62 miles. But it made up for this by charging incredibly fast. In the test, it added 164 miles of range in just 20 minutes, proving that if a car can gulp down electricity fast enough, it can still be a great choice for long trips even if it uses a lot of energy.

On the other end of the scale, some famous brands fell short. The Volvo EX90 and the BYD Sealion 7 received the lowest ratings in the test. The Volvo EX90 is a large SUV with a massive 107 kWh battery, but its weight and poor aerodynamics made it "thirsty" for power. It consumed 31.6 kWh per 62 miles. The BYD Sealion 7 was the least efficient of all, using 35.3 kWh per 62 miles. These high numbers mean that a trip in a BYD would cost 60% more in electricity than a trip in a more efficient car.

The Tesla Model Y showed that a smart design can save a lot of money and time. Even with its all-wheel-drive system, it was the most efficient car in the test, using only 22.2 kWh per 62 miles. Its smooth, teardrop shape helps it slice through the cold air much better than the taller SUVs. While it did not charge as fast as the Audi, ADAC noted that if the charging stop had been just five minutes longer, the Tesla would have easily finished the trip with only one stop. At a price of $62,080, it is still a benchmark for value.

For families who want to save money, the Skoda Elroq was a pleasant surprise. It costs $51,400 in Germany, which is nearly half the price of the $94,500 Porsche Macan Electric. Despite the huge price difference, the Skoda performed almost as well as the Porsche on the highway. It used 25.5 kWh per 62 miles and offered a stable range of over 186 miles, showing that you do not always have to spend a fortune to get a capable family EV that can handle a winter vacation.

Other cars like the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer also proved their worth. The ID.7 is a long station wagon that costs about $64,400. It was the only car in the test with a standard 400V system that could add more than 124 miles of range in 20 minutes. This is impressive because most 400V cars charge much slower than the 800V models from Audi or Hyundai. The ID.7's sleek shape also helped it keep energy use low, matching the range of the much more expensive Volvo but using a smaller battery.

In the end, no car in the test was perfect, and none received a "very good" rating from ADAC. The winter cold simply takes too much of a toll on current battery technology. The test highlights a clear trend: cars that are lower to the ground and have fast-charging systems are much better for road trips. Whether you choose a high-end Audi A6 e-tron or a budget-friendly Skoda Elroq, knowing how much energy the car "drinks" in the cold is the key to a stress-free winter drive.

Here are detailed results of the test:

Via